SCOTTISH COMMUNISTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1931, Page 7

SCOTTISH COMMUNISTS

RIOTS AT GLASGOW SHOP PROPERTY LOOTED [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, October 2. A repetition of the scenes between the police and the unemployed at Salford occurred at Glasgow to-night. The police of the city prevented a crowd of fifty thousand people on the Glasgow Green, who were headed by Mr McGovern, the member of the House cf Commons, from marching through the city. Mounted police charged into the Green, thereby scattering the demonstrators, many of whom were injured. Several police were also sent to the hospital. The crowd were driven from the Green. They then smashed hundreds of the shop windows and rifled the provision shops. The residents of the tenements joined the rioters, hurling bottles on the police. Twelve arrests were made, including Mr McGovern, who was charged with “forming a disorderly mob.” There was a fresh outbreak after midnight. A crowd, who apparently were bent cn looting, attacked twelve shops in the Garngad district. Jam jars and foodstuffs were thrown about. Large slabs of butter and lard lay on the roadway. One egg merchant’s whole stock was smashed. Order was restored at two o’clock in the morning.

MR KIRKWOOD'S THREAT.

(Recd. October 3, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 2.

In the Commons, following backbench protests at the police measures in last night’s disturbances at Glasgow, and the Secretary of Scotland’s denial of repression, Mr Kirkwood said: If you don’t change the demeanour of the authorities in Glasgow, you chance putting every one of us in gaol. You will take our lives or we yours. Do you think that we will stand by and see our people batoned? The Speaker called the next business. INCITEMENT TO MUTINY(Recd. October 3, 11 a.m.) LONDON, October 2. Wilkinson was charged at Bow Street with conspiring .with others, responsible for the “Daily Worker, not only for breaking a section of the Sedition Act, but also with inciting others to do likewiseSir Percival Clarke-, prosecuting, quoted from the “Daily Worker”: Build up a united front of workers, soldiers, sailors and members of the Air Force.

The “Daily Worker” added: Now, reader, what about handing this copy to a soldier, sailor or airman? • Sir P. Clarke continued that it was not only incitement of His Majesty’s forces io mutiny, but incitement to others to act similarly. Wilkinson was committed for trial.

UNREST IN GERMANY.

BERLIN, October 2.

Wage reductions and increases of working hours are causing widespread irritation in the German mining districts. There are numerous strikes in the Reiher region, though the miners’ unions are urging the members to accept the Government control of wages. There is also industrial unrest in Hamburg, where the shipowners are insisting on wage cuts and longer hours.

The Communists are exploiting the situation by demanding a general strike.

The Berlin metal employers propose the cancellation of all agreements with a view to reducing the wages of one hundred and fifty thousand workers.

WELLINGTON COMMUNISTS BREAK-UP MEETING. WELLINGTON, October 3. Communists broke up a meeting of relief workers held at the Trades Hall, last night, to consider the policy and constitution agreed upon the preevious evening by delegates representing IS2O men. Mr P. M. Butler, Secretary of the General Labourers’ Union, outlined the proposal which he said aimed at the establishment of an organisation to protect the interests of all those engaged in relief works. A motion that the organisation be known as the Relief Workers Section of the General Labourers’ Union, was lost on a show of hands.

The Communists then proceeded to address the meeting, which was adjourned by the Chairman after repeated appeals for order proved unsuccessful.